Praedicator

Verba

Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 1st Week of Advent - Thurs

[Isa 26:1-6 and Matt 7:21, 24-27]

Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places and the lofty city he brings down. [Isaiah] Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. [Matthew]

In Advent it seems a bit strange to be speaking about cities and buildings falling into dust! We are told today by Isaiah to place our hopes in an "eternal rock!" Jesus uses the image of a man who lays a foundation on rock to describe the person who listens to his words and acts on them. What does rock have to do with anticipating the birth of Jesus? In the Bible, rock is a symbol of things that endure and metaphorically for hope.

All of this rock imagery has a particular impact because I am in an area of the Mississippi gulf coast that was devastated (to put it mildly) by Hurricane Katrina. The church where I am preaching had about 6 to 8 feet of water in it! The Gulf of Mexico is directly across the street! It is the faith of the people and the help of many volunteers that enabled the parish to restore the church. But those who live along this coast know that another storm could undo it all.

Where is our hope in this season? Where is the "rock?" We may find it in that nativity scene that could easily get lost in all the tree, tinsel and gifts. The true meaning of this season is to be found in our relationship with God and with the loved ones whom God has given us. This is our "rock" in which we can put our hope. Our relationship to that child in the manger is always the birth of our hope! AMEN